DIY chain brings “Smart Fulfilment” to new Sunderland store in summer expansion

A UK DIY retail chain has announced that it is opening a brand new store in Sunderland as part of its estate transformation strategy.

Wickes will be opening its new store on the Pennywell Industrial Estate, at a 25,000 sq ft unit.

The Sunderland store marks 144 stores in the new customer orientated concept and caters for DIYers, local trade and those consumers looking for support on larger transformations with the retailer’s Design and Installation Services.

Sunderland has a designated area for what the business names ‘Smart Fulfilment’. This assists the digital shopping journey, with the storage of items picked by colleagues for home delivery, ready for collection by local carriers. This is part of the retailer’s store of the future concept to drive efficiency and better customer service across its store network.

David Wingfield, store manager, Sunderland commented: “We’re so excited for customers to see this brand new Wickes store, we’re able to offer many more products and services to local residents in this new space.

“The store has been designed to make shopping for home improvement and trade projects simpler than ever before, with the layout making it easier to find everything customers need in one trip. We’re also able to walk people around some inspirational room sets across kitchens and bathrooms, where our Design Consultants can really bring customers’ projects to life with our digital tools.”

The new retail development is part of a multi-million-pound investment by UK Land Estates, the largest commercial property investment and development company in the North East, which has transformed the previously derelict site.

Brandon Bailey, project manager at UK Land Estates, said: “The new Wickes store provides a much-needed amenity for the local area and, with a range of services and products on offer, it will undoubtedly prove popular with local residents.”